India and UN chief Antonio Guterres have demanded justice after two Ethiopian peacekeepers were killed in an ambush in South Sudan….reports Asian Lite News Desk
India and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have strongly condemned the killing of two Ethiopian peacekeepers serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), calling for an immediate investigation and accountability for those responsible.
The two peacekeepers were killed on Monday when their patrol came under attack in Jonglei state, according to Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
Three other peacekeepers, two South Sudanese police officers and two civilian UNMISS staff members were injured in the ambush. The UN mission deployed a Quick Reaction Force to secure the area and assist with the emergency response.
The identities of those behind the attack have not yet been officially established as investigations are under way.
India’s UN mission paid tribute to the Ethiopian personnel and condemned the attack.
“We pay tribute to the fallen Ethiopian Blue Helmets,” the mission said in a post on X.
India also stressed the need to protect UN personnel and facilities, reiterating “the fundamental importance of respecting the sanctity and inviolability of UN premises and personnel”.
Dujarric said Guterres condemned the attack “in the strongest possible terms” and called for those responsible to be swiftly investigated and prosecuted.
The UN chief also warned that attacks against UN peacekeepers could amount to war crimes.
“Such deadly violence targeting UNMISS personnel who are serving to support peace in South Sudan is unacceptable,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Guterres’ Special Representative for South Sudan and head of UNMISS.
India called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2589, which focuses on accountability for crimes committed against peacekeepers.
New Delhi urged an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the ambush, with the perpetrators brought to justice and held fully accountable.
The resolution has particular significance for India, which has long been one of the largest contributors of personnel to UN peacekeeping missions.
India proposed Resolution 2589 during its presidency of the UN Security Council in August 2021 as part of its “Protecting the Protectors” initiative. The resolution received more than 80 co-sponsors and was unanimously adopted by the Council.
India has also suffered significant losses among its peacekeeping personnel. A total of 161 Indian peacekeepers have died while serving in UN missions, including 17 in South Sudan.
As of May this year, India had 1,775 personnel deployed with UNMISS, making it the mission’s largest troop-contributing contingent, according to the latest available UN figures.
The latest attack comes amid renewed insecurity in South Sudan, particularly in Jonglei state, where fighting has intensified between government forces and armed groups.
The US Embassy in Juba said the attack was carried out by “armed youth”.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) has stepped up fighting against South Sudan’s military in Jonglei since December last year. The group is aligned with Riek Machar, South Sudan’s former vice president, who is currently imprisoned and facing treason charges.
The violence poses another challenge to international efforts to maintain peace and stability in the world’s youngest country.
UNMISS personnel have continued to operate across South Sudan to protect civilians, support peace efforts and assist local communities despite the deteriorating security environment.
The UN has repeatedly warned that attacks on peacekeepers not only endanger personnel but also undermine efforts to protect civilians and support the implementation of South Sudan’s peace process.
The latest deaths have renewed calls from India and the UN leadership for greater protection of peacekeepers and stronger accountability for those who target them.
